On the 7^th June, twelve of the group arrived at the Laing Art Gallery to hear a presentation by Dr. Barbara Morden entitled “A Family Well Disposed”. This interesting talk explored the representation of relationships and status in painting from the 18^th century to the present. The work of well-known artists including Gainsborough, Hogarth and Hockney were discussed and then we had the chance to look at the fascinating exhibition “Family Matters: the Family in British Art” which is part of the British Art Debate.

Unfortunately this was the day the Metro was not in service due to strike action. Our numbers had been reduced from seventeen to twelve and some of us left early as the strike combined with the Coldplay concert at the Stadium of Light were bound to cause travel difficulties. However, as last year, we found Dr. Morden’s talk very interesting and informative.